9 Things to Know About Anthony Scaramucci
On Friday morning, President Donald Trump appointed Anthony Scaramucci as the new White House director of communications. The veteran New York financier, a big donor to the president’s campaign, ushered in drama almost as soon as he got the offer: Long-embattled White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigned because of his hiring.
Here’s what you need to know about the new major player in the West Wing.
1. He’s a Wall Street veteran.
After graduating from Harvard Law, Scaramucci worked at Goldman Sachs before eventually starting SkyBridge Capital, an investment firm. He's written financial self-help books and even hosted his own show on Fox Business. With an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion, he’s been a major Republican donor and bet on Trump early (although, notably, only after his first two picks for the nomination - Scott Walker and Jeb Bush - dropped out). But he’s also donated to Democrats in the past, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
2. He doesn’t have any professional experience in communications - or politics.
Scaramucci has been a top defender of the president on cable news for months (it’s one of the reasons Trump picked him for the gig). But he doesn’t have any professional communications experience. And his only political experience - other than being a member of Trump's transition team - is as a major donor.
3. Spicer objected to his appointment - and resigned.
Spicer told Trump he “vehemently disagreed” with Scaramucci’s appointment, according to the New York Times. Though the president asked Spicer to stay on, Spicer considered the hiring “a major mistake,” tweeting that he would resign at the end of August. Chief of staff Reince Priebus also reportedly took issue with Scaramucci’s appointment and previously blocked Scaramucci from getting another White House job, the head of the Office of Public Engagement.
4. He already has a nickname and it might be better than Spicey.
No one called Spicer “Spicey” until he added his caustic brand of seasoning to the White House briefings. Scaramucci comes preloaded with one: the Mooch, a play on his Italian surname. Can confirm: It’s easier to spell (and tweet) than Scaramucci.
5. He’s a brash New Yorker, just like his boss.
Hailing from Long Island, Scaramucci has made a name for himself as a brazen, cocky New Yorker. He’s a smooth talker too: In his first public appearance since accepting the communications director role Friday, he seemed at home behind the White House lectern in a way Spicer never did. And, in an obvious bid for the president's affections, he repeatedly said he "loves" Trump. (He also says yuuuuge too.)
6. But he once criticized Trump.
In 2015, the new communications director called Trump “a hack politician” and denounced his rhetoric toward women. On Friday, he apologized for the comments. Trump “brings it up every 15 seconds,” he said. “I should have never said that about him.”
7. And he also seems to really disagree with many of Trump's policy views.
In past tweets, he's said he's pro-choice, for stricter gun control laws, and doesn't understand people who think climate change is a hoax. (Trump once tweeted that he thinks climate change is a scam created by the Chinese.) Those are diametrically opposed to the president's stances. He has reportedly since deleted many of his old tweets.
8. He’s into astrology!
From a January New York magazine story by reporter Jessica Pressler:
He suddenly stopped and squinted at me. “How old are you?” he asked. “You look good. No lines on your face. What are you, a Sagittarius?”
I told him I’m a Leo.
Scaramucci nodded approvingly. “Fucking king of the jungle!” he said, lifting his drink.
9. He went on a rant about Priebus (and other White House staffers) that went viral.
Though Scaramucci acknowledged the tension between himself and Priebus at his initial press briefing, he said it was good-natured. "We are a little bit like brothers, where we rough each other up a little, which is totally normal for brothers." But on July 28, he accused Priebus of leaking details of a dinner Trump was planning at the White House. In an on-the-record call with New Yorkerreporter Ryan Lizza, he said, among other things, "I’ll get to the person who leaked that to you. Reince Priebus - if you want to leak something - he’ll be asked to resign very shortly." Of chief strategist Steve Bannon, he said, “I’m not Steve Bannon, I’m not trying to suck my own cock ... I’m not trying to build my own brand off the fucking strength of the President. I’m here to serve the country.” Preibus was pushed outas chief of staff the next day.
This piece was originally published on July 21, 2017, and has been updated.
Follow Rebecca on Twitter.
You Might Also Like
